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INCLUDINGS:
MIKE SANCHEZ
- 1997 JUST A GAME
- 1999 JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT
with THE BIG TOWN PLAYBOYS
- 1990 NOW APPEARING
- 1995 HIP JOINT
- 1997 OFF THE CLOCK - Live
OTHER APPEARANCES
- 1993 CRAZY LEGS - JEFF BECK

MIKE SANCHEZ - JUST A GAME - CD MS001 / IB012 / UK 1997 [Tracklist & Line-up]

Review 1:
All music and songs on this solo CD written, arranged and performed by Mike Sanchez (Big Town Playboys). There are a lot of styles represented from swampy ballads through Boogie Woogie, Rock'n'Roll and straight Blues. As the CD progresses, unlike some solo works can be, there's plenty of catchy stuff here and with more of a variety about the material then you 'll find generally.

"A consistently fine CD with an assortment of approaches to the numbers" - Southern & Rockin' Music.

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MIKE SANCHEZ - JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT - CD MS002 / UK 1999 [Tracklist & Line-up]

Review 1:
All music and songs on this solo CD written, arranged and performed by Mike Sanchez (Big Town Playboys). There are a lot of styles represented from swampy ballads through Boogie Woogie, Rock'n'Roll and straight Blues. As the CD progresses, unlike some solo works can be, there's plenty of catchy stuff here and with more of a variety about the material then you 'll find generally.

"A consistently fine CD with an assortment of approaches to the numbers" - Southern & Rockin' Music.

Review 2:
Sadly, the Big Town Playboys disbanded right at the end of last year (Note by Gabi: Fact is, the Big Town Playboys did not split but went on with new members. Check the Official Big Town Playboys Website for details.), about the same time as frontman Sanchez's solo debut 'JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT'. He's widening the scope, feeding in more of his own numbers, toying with styles other than hardline boogie woogie, returning to the guitar (electric and acoustic), providing basslines but not entirely relinquishing the keys. It's a strong statement in terms of songwriting, performance and production, veering from the fraught lip-quivering balladry of 'Messed with an angel' (Presley mixes tears with Orbison) to the opening title track's rumbling rock'n'roll. For old BTP fans, there's Chuck Berry's 'Brown eyed handsome man' and Johnny Guitar Watson's 'Cutting in', stinging the blues, horns punching the air. Then Sanchez refers back to the roots provided by his parents, singing in spanish on Lucho Gatica's 'Sombras' bolero, steeped in high drama, with minty trumpet crackles. Sanchez also contributes 'Vamos a bailar', just like a 70's Nu Yorican street anthem, supremely catchy, guitar twanging, vocal refrain repeated incessantly. Recommended.

Review 3:
"Just Can't Afford It" shows that Mike Sanchez can manage remarkable well on his own after leaving the Big Town Playboys, the band he created with Ian Jennings in 1984.
The repertoire still catches, with blues you can dance to; rhythm & blues, steaming boogie woogie and swing, and also a couple of quick and slow latino tunes. "Sombras" and "Vamos A Bailar" are two of them. The first mentioned song, will be a little bit unfamiliar in many peoples ear's, but his own song "Vamos A Bailar" is on the other hand an incredible catchy and quick melody, where he has put in some elements from the blues. He also has a reggae version of "Goodnight My Love", but this song is a little tame and insignificant.
The album's highlight is obviously the two melodies "Just Can't Afford it" and "Ramblin Boogie", two steaming selfcomposed songs, that makes your dancefoot swing and makes your bloodstream run fast. The title melody gave me association to the Norwegian bluesman Reidar Larsen. Good versions of well chosen coversongs like Wynonie Harris's "Adam Come And Get Your Rib", Roy Miltons' "Waking Up Baby" and Willie Mabons' "Wow, I Feel So Good" makes this a great album.
Sanchez' qualities as a boogie pianist is well known, but on this cd, he is also an outstanding and a specially qualified guitarist.
The album works perfectly just for listening, but you should put on your dancingshoes and throw yourself into it!

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Review 1:
The Big Town Playboys are now getting some of the recognition that has been long overdue. Robert Cray, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck have all spotted it already, what's holding up everyone else?

Review 2:
One of Britain's finest R&B / Jump Jazz outfits, The Big Town Playboys have gathered plaudits from such names as Robert Cray, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. Check out what got them so hot.

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Review 1:
Hailing orginally from the West Midlands, the Big Town Playboys is fronted by the great pianist and vocalist Mike Sanchez and underpinned by the bass of long-time cohort Ian Jennings. Now ex-Amen Corner singer Andy Fairweather-Low has joined the group on guitar and vocals bringing his formidable talents to the outfit.
The best revival R&B band in Britain are back on disc after a six-year break from recording. Hailing orginally from the West Midlands, the Big Town Playboys is fronted by the great pianist and vocalist Mike Sanchez and underpinned by the bass of long-time cohort Ian Jennings. In the band's early days ex-Savoy Brown and Chicken Shack bassist Andy Sylvester and leader Ricky Cool were also involved. Now ex-Amen Corner singer Andy Fairweather-Low has joined the group on guitar and vocals bringing his formidable talents to the outfit.
The Playboys' appearance at the 1996 Eric Clapton shows is the third time as Eric's special guests but the band's history is interwoven with great names - many who have invited them to put their unique skills on record (Eric Clapton on his Colour Of Money score, Jeff Beck on the Crazy Legs CD and Anne Dudley on her The Pope Must Die soundtrack, for instance). Add to that regular support for such visiting American greats as Little Willie Littlefield, Jimmy Nelson and Champion Jack Dupree, and you have one of the most sharp, most jumping R&B bands this side of the Atlantic.

Review 2:
"Cracking R&B, Jump Jazz and rockin' blues from these long established masters of the genre. A band that can deliver in a studio setting, as well as on stage."

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THE BIG TOWN PLAYBOYS - OFF THE CLOCK - Live - Eagle Records / EDGCD007 / UK 1997 [Tracklist & Line-up]

The latest Big Town Playboys recording is a double Live CD Off The Clock (1997), which may be had by contacting them at PO Box 143 Kidderminster Worcestershire DY10 1YU

Sorry, no reviews available yet.

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Review 1:
...Beck is not just flashy window dressing but the lightning rod in a red-hot combo....if guitarists earned degrees, CRAZY LEGS would be Beck's thesis toward a doctorate in rockabilly...

Review 2:
After sundry jazz and blues excursions, Jeff Beck, the living guitar masterclass, pays tribute to his childhood inspiration, Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps. With The Big Town Playboys, sweat-soaked R&B gigsters supreme, he hurtles into that old bare, sexed-up, no-tech rock'n'roll with love and abandon. Although, unpredictably, Vincent hits including Be-Bop-A-Lula and Blue Jean Bop are omitted, crazed chargers like Race With The Devil, Cruisin' and Hold Me, Hug Me, Rock Me tickle the chuckle muscles, as does a reminder of that teasingly paradoxical concept, Red Blue Jeans & A Ponytail. Jeff Beck plecs like a bastard in honour of Blue Cap hero Cliff Gallup, while Big Town Playboys Mike Sanchez vocalises furiously in the spirit of the times, without trying to mimic Vincent. Twangular, if ever there was.

Review 3:
There's More to Jeff Beck than "Blow by Blow"
When I first read that Jeff Beck had recorded a rockabilly album, it was straight to the store for the first copy on the shelf. I've had the album since it's release and it'still in my essential "12-pack" that's always in the car.
If you're a Jeff Beck fan, this is a side of Jeff Beck not found anywhere else: don't miss it. If you've never heard of Jeff Beck and just like rockabilly, don't miss it either.
I bought the album with no preconceptions, just a love for rockabilly and great guitar work. This album has both. This is NOT "Jeff Beck and some guys hidden on the side", it's Jeff Beck playing great guitar as part of a fine BAND. Big Town Playboys' Mike Sanchez provides great vocals on tunes that'll be stuck in your head for months. If you've got a convertible, slap this in on a sunny day, turn it up, and go for a drive...if tunes like "B-I-Bickey-Bi-Bo-BO-Go" don't make your day, strongly consider selling the car and shopping for a casket. You're already dead.

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